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Cooking StyleComfort FoodPorkBeefDairyGlutenEggsPastaMealMeal PrepStove TopFreezer FriendlyDutch OvenWeeknightKid-FriendlyDinnerItalian

Classic Italian Meatballs

These Classic Italian Meatballs are a flavorful, family-friendly dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Made with a mix of lean ground beef and Italian sausage, these meatballs are tender, juicy, and packed with savory herbs and Parmesan cheese. They’re par-cooked in the oven and then finished in marinara sauce on the stove, ensuring they’re perfectly moist and infused with rich tomato flavor. Serve them over pasta with an easy caesar salad for a comforting meal everyone will love.

Kelly Paige
Tasty Team
Total Time

1 hr 30 min

1 hr 30 min

Prep Time

15 minutes

15 min

Cook Time

1 hr 15 min

1 hr 15 min

Classic Italian Meatballs
Total Time

1 hr 30 min

1 hr 30 min

Prep Time

15 minutes

15 min

Cook Time

1 hr 15 min

1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

for 4 servings

  • 2 slices italian bread
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ lb lean ground beef
  • ½ lb mild italian pork sausage, loose
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 (32 oz) jar marinara sauce

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Tear the Italian bread into large pieces and place them in a bowl. Pour the milk over the bread and let it soak for about 5 minutes, or until the bread is fully saturated.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soaked bread (squeezing out any excess milk), ground beef, Italian pork sausage, garlic, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and kosher salt. Mix gently with your hands until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
  4. Using your hands, form the meat mixture into 1½-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should have about 12 meatballs.
  5. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just starting to brown but are not fully cooked through.
  6. While the meatballs are in the oven, heat your marinara sauce in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Once the meatballs are par-cooked, transfer them to the simmering sauce. Cover and cook for at least 30 minutes but up to a few hours until meatballs are tender and moist.
  7. Serve the meatballs with your favorite cooked pasta and some more freshly grated parmesan cheese.
  8. Enjoy!
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Classic Italian Meatballs